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Cancer overtakes a little trooper

"Marchelle Tabtab, the Port Orchard-area girl who bravely fought a form of childhood cancer, lost her battle Monday morning.She died at home with her family at her side, said Nita Jaraczewski, a family friend and co-worker of Marchelles father, Manny.Marchelle, 10, returned home last week after a month of hospitalization and chemotherapy ended with doctors telling the Tabtabs that she had only a short time left to live.I dont want to lose my little girl, but its inevitable, her father said last Thursday. Marchelle, as reported in the Independent last year, suffered from neuroblastoma, a cancer that starts in the adrenal gland of children. After a years worth of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and new bone marrow, the disease went into remission in May 1998. It came back this year.Marchelle was a little trooper in the eyes of her father, family and friends. So is the whole family, said Jaraczewski.Even during the difficult times theyve been through, they make you feel better when you talk to them. My husband and I were talking about that after we visited them Dec. 7, Jaraczewski said.She helped reopen a fund in Marchelles name at Kitsap Bank. Contributions to help the family defray expenses related to Marchelles death can be made at any branch. The account number is 0480591720. Jaraczewski, who has worked with Manny Tabtab for nine years at the Navys Trident facility in Bangor, can answer questions at 876-6101.Tabtab said support of his family, including the visitors last week to see and comfort Marchelle, her siblings and parents has been overwhelming. So many friends, so much kindess. We knew it before, and we know it even more now that shes going home to God."

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